About Us

The Chorleywood Residents Association (Hertfordshire, UK) is a non-party political association that is passionate about maintaining the special character of Chorleywood.

The work of the Association is championed by the Executive Committee, a dedicated enthusiastic body of volunteers, committed to representing the members of the Association and campaigning on their behalf.

The Executive Committee is supported in this work by the Area Representatives and others who undertake the essential tasks including delivering the twice yearly newsletter and collecting subscriptions.

We hope that this website will be a focal point for the residents of Chorleywood and through the contributions to us from everyone (whether members or not of the Association) we can become a valuable source of information for the local community.

The Romans ‘came, saw and conquered’ and we’ve got the ruins to prove it. But what was life really like during those 400 years? What food did people eat, what illnesses did they get? What gods did they worship? What evidence did they leave? The Romans departed as suddenly as they arrived and left Britain in the ‘Dark Ages’ for 500 years – archaeologists can tell us what was really going on as ‘un-Roman Britain’ took on the cultures of visiting Vikings and Anglo-Saxons.

The 19th Century was one of the most dynamic periods in English history. As society grew richer, art and architecture flourished. In this course we will make the connection between the buildings and other works of art produced in that age and the society which they served.

All the books in this course are united by a single theme: their protagonists are exceptional or unusual people who find themselves at odds with the society in which they live and push the conventions by ‘being themselves’. It covers a range of both widely acclaimed and lesser known books including Jane Austen’s ‘Emma’, George Eliot’s ‘The Mill on the Floss’, Emile Zola’s ‘The Masterpiece’, Gustave Flaubert’s ‘Madame Bovary’, Mikhail Bulgakov’s ‘The Young Doctor’s Notebook’ and Monica Ali’s ‘Brick Lane’.

We shall look at three different aspects of archaeology: at the Stonehenge landscape, such as Silbury Hill, Durrington Walls, Avebury etc to see how archaeologists use the evidence to construct lifestyles and beliefs for people who lived 5,000 years ago. The Romans ‘came, saw and conquered’ Britain – or did they? Yes, they were an ‘invading army’ yet were welcomed in by people living in south east Britain. What impact did they have and why did Britons revert to their old lifestyles once the Roman legions left? The third area of study concentrates on squalor and neglect from the medieval to Victorian periods. There are copious records of laws passed, taxes collected, the church’s concern for the moral and education of the poor – but, what was life really like for the underclass? Modern archaeology can provide some of the answers.

10.30 am to 3.00 pm. One day event

Venue: The Junction, Rickmansworth Road, Chorleywood WD3 5SG.

Enquiries to 01923 283985

What is the WEA?

The WEA was founded in 1903 to give new opportunities for working people to pursue learning. Today, their courses are open to all adults; young, old, at home, unemployed, working or retired. They provide friendly, informal and enjoyable courses, with experienced tutors - all in local venues.

Whatever your past educational experience, WEA hopes it will have something to offer you and help develop new skills, extend your learning or just enjoy a new interest. Everybody is welcome at a Chorleywood and Rickmansworth WEA class.